Centrifuge system utilizing disposable components and automated processing of blood to collect platelet rich plasma

A separation and collection system for processing blood to collect platelet rich plasma (PRP), comprising:

• means for inputting a volume of blood;
• means for containing the input volume of blood, the containing means being adapted for balanced spinning at rotation rates adequate to separate the blood into red blood cell (RBC), PRP, white blood cells, and platelet poor plasma (PPP) and the containing means including two ports for receiving the input volume and for withdrawing the RBC, the PRP, the white blood cells, and the PPP;
• means for selectively rotating the containing means at a plurality of processing rotation speeds;
• means for selectively withdrawing and collecting the RBC, the PPP, the white blood cells, and the PRP from the containing means;
• means for transferring the blood between the inputting means and the containing means and for transferring the RBC, the PPP, the white blood cells, and the PRP between the containing means and the withdrawing and collecting means;
• and
• means for defining a loop in the transferring means to enhance rotation and wear characteristics of the transferring means, the loop defining means including contact surfaces configured for reduced wear of portions of the transferring means abutting the contact surfaces.

An apparatus for use within a blood separation and collection system holding a volume of blood during separation and collection processes, for providing a fill and collection lines with known lengths and volumes, and for forming a loop that can be rotated in a balanced manner without twisting, the apparatus comprising:

• a separation chamber for containing the volume of blood configured for mounting on a support structure rotatable by a centrifuge, wherein the separation chamber includes two sections separated by a divider element with each chamber section including a cylindrical elongated portion adjacent the divider element, a collection portion with a side wall that slopes inward toward the central axis of the chamber section to define a reducing circular cross-section along the central axis, a cylindrical nipple attached to the collection portion, and a port providing an inlet and an outlet path for fluid to the chamber section;
• a tubing assembly including first and second tubing sections attached to the chamber section ports at a first end and a three-way tubing connector connecting second ends of the first and second tubing sections, wherein the first tubing assembly is shaped substantially as an arc with a radius substantially corresponding to a radius of a base of the support structure;
• a third tubing section attached to the three-way tubing connector having a length selected such that the third tubing section provides a fluid path for the blood from the three-way tubing connector through the centrifuge and the defined loop to a tube positioning arm of the separation and collection system;
• a fourth tubing section providing a fluid path for the blood to and from the tube positioning arm;
• and
• a tube clamp connecting the third and fourth tubing sections and including external contact surfaces for mating with a latch on the tube-positioning arm.

A compact, automated system for producing platelet rich plasma and platelet poor plasma from a patient's blood, comprising:

• automatically removing the patient's blood from a first syringe;
• returning platelet rich plasma made from the patient's blood automatically into a second syringe;
• and
• delivering platelet poor plasma made from the patient's blood into a third syringe.